Cuba Libre

Featuring Music by Tiempo Libre Book by Carlos Lacámara Music & Lyrics by Jorge Gómez Choreography by Maija Garcia Directed by Dámaso Rodríguez

October 3, 2015 – November 15, 2015

Portland'5 Winningstad Theatre, 1111 SW Broadway Ave.

The irresistible rhythms of Cuban music drive this riveting, universal story of a man caught between countries, losses and loves, and his search for freedom. Set in America and Cuba, this timely tale reverberates across politics, ambition and romance with quick-witted dialogue, joy-filled dance and Latin-fusion beats. This Broadway-scale, contemporary musical features the internationally acclaimed, three-time Grammy-nominated band Tiempo Libre with a company of 21 actors, dancers and musicians in a not-to-be-missed theatrical event.

Press

omantic interest, hustle, love and death–everything one needs for a great musical. - See more at: http://www.judynedry.com/1595-2/#sthash.ppmWggtg.dpuf

omantic interest, hustle, love and death–everything one needs for a great musical. - See more at: http://www.judynedry.com/1595-2/#sthash.ppmWggtg.dpuf

“…to anyone with a pulse, it is irresistibly appealing.” “…packed with 18 exhilarating musical numbers, performed by the high-octane Cuban band Tiempo Libre (whose engaging members also play small roles), a cadre of potent and ingratiating singer/actors, and thrilling dances by Cuban-American choreographer Maija Garcia (who was Bill T. Jones’ associate choreographer for Broadway’s Afro-beat wonder Fela!).”By Misha BersonAmerican Theatre MagazineREAD FULL REVIEW

“The music -- oh wow the music! It's high-energy Latin-beat-filled awesomeness. Tiempo Libre is onstage doing their thing through the whole show. You will be dancing in your seat (and if you can get there fast enough, on stage at the end). The dancing -- double-wow!"By Krista GarverBroadwayWorld.comREAD FULL REVIEW

“Cuba Libre brought every inch of the intimate Winningstad Theatre alive with music, with dance, with laughter and with tears.”By Rebecca BlockEDGE Media NetworkREAD FULL REVIEW

“…more than a Tiempo Libre concert: It's a reminder of the power of music to transcend pain, and a warning not to use escape as an excuse to forget.”By Thomas RossPortland MercuryREAD FULL REVIEW

“Timba! That crazy, syncopated rhythm coming from a high-energy, kick-ass band on stage for the whole show is worth the ticket price alone.”Portland Monthly Magazine By Fiona McCannREAD FULL REVIEW

“…Cuba Libre already has the advantage of sharp direction and choreography, spiffy design and projections, exhilarating dancing, incendiary music and, crucially, crack timing: a musical about Cuban emigres to America arriving at a time when emigration is the hottest national political topic and the President has finally begun normalizing relations with Cuba.”ArtsWatchBy Brett CampbellREAD FULL REVIEW

“…romantic interest, hustle, love and death–everything one needs for a great musical.”by Judy Nedry, Judy Nedry ReviewsREAD FULL REVIEW"Theater is thriving in Oregon, and New York is paying attention”by Jamie HaleThe Oregonian/OregonLive.comREAD FEATURE HERE

"...like a supermoon lunar eclipse, the chance to catch a Broadway-bound musical in Portland — and one with so much heart and promise — is a must-see."by Lee Williams, The Oregonian/OregonLive.comREAD FULL REVIEW

OPB ‘State of Wonder’ Oregon Art Beat’s Robe Imbriano interview about Cuba Libre and what he’s learn by filming the project. By April BaerLISTEN HERE

Oregon Music News Photo GalleryDress Rehearsal By John RudoffSEE PHOTOS

"With the momentum of an island storm gathering intensity as it makes its way to port, the Caribbean-flavored, Portland-created original musical "Cuba Libre" promises to be the show to beat this season."By Carol Wells, The OregonianREAD ARTICLE

"Directed by Artists Repertory Theatre's artistic director, Dámaso Rodríguez, the bilingual world premiere tells the story of a fictional musician struggling through life during Cuba's "Special Period"—Castro's name for the era of economic desperation in his country after the Soviet Union fell. But it's more than fiction for the show's many collaborators."By James Helmsworth, Willamette WeekREAD ARTICLE

A group of Cuban American talent—a musician, a producer, a director, a writer, a choreographer, and an actor—bring the story of Jorge Gómez to the Portland stage.by Fiona McCann, Portland Monthly MagazineREAD ARTICLE